Habibi wrote:2. Crust is good, but at the edges, even a little too much for a guy whose favorite part of Damato's coal-fired super dark and crusty "sourdough" loaf are the ends. In this respect I think I prefer Spacca Napoli's edge which has a lot of char, but is chewy and airy enough to go down wihout the help of a glass of water.

Certainly one of the best pizzas Ive had ina while, a d I will return to try their margherita. But best in Chicago? Even for the style, not so sure. My money is still on Spacca (on a good day) or Coalfire. Maybe my opinion will change when I try their margherita.

Expecting a Neapolitan crust at Great Lake is bound to lead to disappointment. Great Lake, which is modeled largely after Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix, is intentionally making a much heavier crust than exists on a Neapolitan pie. A Neapolitan pizza could not handle the amount of toppings that Great Lake puts on.

Piling on to the existing reviews out there...

We went by last night around 7:30, knowing full well that they could have a table in an hour, or more likely, not at all, but thought we'd give it a shot. Sure enough all tables were booked, but they said I could put in a carryout order and pick it up at 8:15, or about 45 minutes later. We planned on hitting In Fine Spirits for a cocktails anyways, so that worked for us. We ordered the cremini mushroom pie with a cheese that I cannot remember and a healthy dusting of black pepper.

Wow. First, it looks like the pie is totally weighed down by mushrooms because they completely cover the interior, but you quickly realize that the mushrooms are sliced so wafer thin that they can completely cover the pie without adding hardly any weight. Crust was everything I've ever feebly strived for in pizza dough, cheese was perfect, and really we agreed it was in the running for the best pizza ever.

Oh, did I mention we ate in the car across the street from the restaurant?... Like we were really going to risk cold sogginess by driving all the way (5-7 minutes) home.

That mushroom pie is deceptively amazing (I long for the early days when they would actually split two toppings on a single pie, since my husband detests mushrooms). Anyhow, I am not sure about In Fine Spirits letting you bring pizza in (I think they offer food) but I do know that Simon's Tap a couple of blocks south on Clark doesn't blink an eye if you bring outside food in. And heck, that's kind of a nice balance of old-school Andersonville meeting nuevo.

bjt

bjt wrote:That mushroom pie is deceptively amazing (I long for the early days when they would actually split two toppings on a single pie, since my husband detests mushrooms). Anyhow, I am not sure about In Fine Spirits letting you bring pizza in (I think they offer food) but I do know that Simon's Tap a couple of blocks south on Clark doesn't blink an eye if you bring outside food in. And heck, that's kind of a nice balance of old-school Andersonville meeting nuevo.

In Fine Spirits does offer food - really good food. Actually, we once asked if we could eat something from outside there (from Patisserie Natalina) since the kitchen wasn't open yet and were shot down. Last night though, when we went for our pre-pizza cocktail, we ordered a couple of apps because we had ~30 minutes to kill and were totally famished. We sat up at the bar, figuring quick ordering and quick service would leave us plenty of time. The clock kept ticking and as it neared pizza pickup time and no apps, we asked if we could get them to go instead. We felt really bad for being so rushy rushy, but instead of being weird or annoyed, they were exactly the opposite. Our bartender said the kitchen was pretty backed up, and we could just cancel our food order no problem, so we did. Not only that, he very unnecessarily comped us one of our drinks. Customer service that goes beyond what we even deserved is pretty awesome. That, plus Great Lake pizza made for one nice evening in Andersonville.

great to hear!

btw, the cremini mushroom is in my top 2 there glad it's back.

I am happy to report that I have just returned from dinner at Great Lake and they are now open on Tuesdays from 5-9. The third pie tonight was made with celery root, cream, cayenne pepper and pancetta. Pies one and two have previously been reported on. It was very quiet this evening.

I walked by and saw people in there - thought either A) they had a party or B) they are now open Tues - but how did you know? Walk by as well?

I was one of the people having dinner.

deesher wrote:I was one of the people having dinner.

I meant how did you know they were open since they normally aren't. Just luck?

I am sorry to report that Great Lake is once again closed on Tuesdays.

deesher wrote:I am sorry to report that Great Lake is once again closed on Tuesdays.

really? i just walked by on Sunday and their sign was still saying Tues. Odd.

I went in tonight, just to see it since I have never walked by when the doors are open. I have lived in Edgewater for 18 years and was shocked by the prices! Wow! For a pizza--that is real mark-up. And the apparent owner was unwelcoming. She was not busy, but pushed her way (literally) past me and my 5 year old daughter and then barked at me to see if I was picking up a carry out order. I said "just looking at the menu" and she did not even look me in the eye. I crossed the street to also peek in Paticerria Natalina and was equally shocked by the prices. I loved going in when they first opened--could not afford to buy much then (I am also a big baker and cook so did not feel I needed to buy many of her items) but loved the cannoli which is now $7!!! Another WOW! That is twice as much as the last time I was in about a year ago. In some ways, I am glad Chicago dining is regarding itself with more "self respect". At the same time, these two places, in Andersonville, seem like Manhattan when I think it is silly.

Do we think these pizzas are worth the dough?

clearly worth the dough or they wouldn't have 2 hour waits for carry out.

nancy wrote:Do we think these pizzas are worth the dough?

Have you read the rest of the thread?

jesteinf wrote:

nancy wrote:Do we think these pizzas are worth the dough?

Have you read the rest of the thread?

An excellent recommendation.

=R=

All -

Thinking about heading up there tonight for my first venture. We will have 3-4 people and would get there around 8. Should we expect to get in and eat before they close at 9:30?

J.R.

jpeac2 wrote:All -

Thinking about heading up there tonight for my first venture. We will have 3-4 people and would get there around 8. Should we expect to get in and eat before they close at 9:30?

J.R.

Hi,

I would call in my order the moment they open advising when you expect to be there. If you are lucky, your pizza and seating will be available simultaneously. If you have your pizza and not seating, you could retreat to a nearby bar to eat.

I was at an occasion where a call was made for their pizza as they were opening. The person calling collected information and planned to call back with our order. Knowing the situation, I suggested ordering immediately. Thank goodness she did, because it was already pizza in 90-120 minutes into the future range.

Someone may have a better strategy, but failing that, call when they open.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:<snip>
If you have your pizza and not seating, you could retreat to a nearby bar to eat.
</snip>

Is there a bar you would recommend? I have been thinking this might be the best route to go.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:<snip>
If you have your pizza and not seating, you could retreat to a nearby bar to eat.
</snip>

Is there a bar you would recommend? I have been thinking this might be the best route to go.

For me to recommend a bar would be risky, since I almost never go to a bar. I hope someone will steer you better than I. I believe upthread there may have been a mention of a friendly nearby bar.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:<snip>
If you have your pizza and not seating, you could retreat to a nearby bar to eat.
</snip>

Is there a bar you would recommend? I have been thinking this might be the best route to go.

For me to recommend a bar would be risky, since I almost never go to a bar. I hope someone will steer you better than I. I believe upthread there may have been a mention of a friendly nearby bar.

Regards,

In Fine Spirits and GNR Hopleaf are both nearby, though Hopleaf is often plenty crowded, too.

=R=

In Fine Spirits
5418 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640-1210
(773) 334-9463

Hopleaf
5148 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640-2828
(773) 334-9851

Panther in the Den wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:<snip>
If you have your pizza and not seating, you could retreat to a nearby bar to eat.
</snip>

Is there a bar you would recommend? I have been thinking this might be the best route to go.

My understanding is that if you order the pizza to eat-in, they try to time it so that a table will be ready.

I'm not sure it is a good idea to take a pizza to those places, Ronnie, since they also serve their own food.

Darren72 wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:<snip>
If you have your pizza and not seating, you could retreat to a nearby bar to eat.
</snip>

Is there a bar you would recommend? I have been thinking this might be the best route to go.

My understanding is that if you order the pizza to eat-in, they try to time it so that a table will be ready.

I'm not sure it is a good idea to take a pizza to those places, Ronnie, since they also serve their own food.

Agreed. I misread and thought they were seeking a place to hang out while they waited for their pizzas. I wouldn't even dream of bringing outside food into either of those establisments. My bad.

=R=

Panther in the Den wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:<snip>
If you have your pizza and not seating, you could retreat to a nearby bar to eat.
</snip>

Is there a bar you would recommend? I have been thinking this might be the best route to go.

I would recommend going to Simon's. They don't serve food, have good beer and booze selection.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:<snip>
If you have your pizza and not seating, you could retreat to a nearby bar to eat.
</snip>

Is there a bar you would recommend? I have been thinking this might be the best route to go.

I always liked Farragut's, 5240 N. Clark. It's closer, has better prices and is unpretentious. They also most certainly like customers to bring in food or order out from there.

FYI,

Simon's Tavern
5210 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640-2102
(773) 878-0894

Farragut's Bar
5240 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640-2102
(773) 728-4903

=R=

Thanks!

Keep 'em coming!

Simon's is a good choice, I've not been to Farragut's.

Actually, I would say Farragut's is a better choice due to the fact Simon's usually gets crowded and lacks table space.

Great Lake to Serve To-Go Sicilian Slices

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2 ... lices.html

Not to be a total nudge, but can someone clarify for me what a Sicilian Slice is? Is it like what you get at D'Amato's on Grand by Bari? (Served room temp and slightly oily and bready in the best way--but not focaccia with a topping!). Or is it more of a triangular sliced thing?

Since we live 2 blocks away we are very interested in something that might be a little more accessible to those of us who love their pizza but don't have hours and hours to invest in acquiring it.

thanks!

bjt